Red Cross Update - On Standby

Got up a little less earlier this morning to head directly to the Cape with fellow volunteer, carpooler and Peabodian Jessica. We got there 30min early only to find out that FEMA has suspended all flights to various states because "evacuees may not want to go there.

Politics

I can understand that - I wouldn't want to go to another state potentially permanantly without the chance to visit my former residence to see what was left and try to salvage something.

However there is some unfortunate political wrangling going on. It was noted that the Boston Mayor Menino and the Red Cross had been working on plans all last weekend to welcome evacuees at the Boston Convention Center. It was Gov. Mitt Romney who decided to move it to the Otis Air National Guard base on Cape Cod. You may note the base was slated for closure after the Pentagon submitted and a committee agreed that it, along with a handful of other military locations, were no longer practical. Hmmmm.

I haven't done the research but I wonder what other states were set to do something similar with their due-to-be-closed locations and the reason FEMA is truly not sending out more flights is due to political reasons.

Status

So we are on standby. Everything was left setup from cots to diapers & formula, to drinks & snacks to all the sweatsuits from Child Small to Adult 4XL we sorted by size. I believe we will get at least one plane with 200-500 evacuees simply to politically benefit Republican Governor Romney who is set for a possible 2008 run for President.

Some Boston television reporter tried to lead and goad me into saying I was "disappointed" that the evacuees weren't coming and did I feel that "my prade was rained on". Whatever. I was there for the evacuees. At the end of the day it isn't about me or what I'm doing or how I feel - it's all about the people I'm there to help.

Training

I re-watched the "Introduction to Disaster Services" course video today and found a few things I'm thinking about training for. I did Red Cross, Lifeguard and CPR certification when in Boy Scouts and Kirky and I have Infant & Child CPR that we worked on just before Will was born.

I'm on a waiting-list for a set of courses tomorrow from 1pm-8pm. I think it includes Mass Care: An Overview and Shelter Operations. These courses along with a lot of paperwork are what's needed for me to go down South to help. However I'm also interested in "Coaching the Experienced Driver", which would certify me to drive Red Cross vehicles, Disaster Assessment, Logistics: An Overview and Public Affairs in Disaster 1.

I didn't realize just how much the Red Cross does even in local communities - it really was an eye opener. I think in addition to becoming a member of Disaster Relief and Search & Rescue groups, I think I'll renew my First Aid and Adult CPR.

OK, the last thing I need is another project to get hyperfocused on but I think this ties in a lot of different things: lust for adventure, helping others & volunteering, and I can put to work my combination PR, tradeshow & conference management, and technology skills.

The Waiting Game

So I'm just going to wait until I get the call, try to learn some things, and get back to job hunting in the meantime. Meanwhile - take the time to look at your own Local Red Cross chapter and see what you can do or learn.